101
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Gasparini G, Fanelli M, Boracchi P, Morabito A, Locopo N, Biganzoli E. Behaviour of metastasis in relation to vascular index in patients with node-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen. Clin Exp Metastasis 2001; 18:15-20. [PMID: 11206833 DOI: 10.1023/a:1026574818241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Some experimental studies suggested that one possible oestrogen-receptor-unrelated mechanism of action of tamoxifen involves inhibition of angiogenesis. We evaluated the correlation of the degree of vascularisation of the primary tumour and we assessed it by using the panendothelial marker anti-CD31 and immunohistochemistry with microvessels count, performed at the vascular 'hot spot' of each single cancer, with the risk of recurrence in time. A cohort of 176 consecutive patients with node-positive invasive breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen (30 mg/daily for 3 years) and a median follow-up of 72 months was studied. Sixty-two patients developed metastasis (30 visceral, 18 skeletal and 14 in soft tissues) during the time of observation. The study of the hazard function for metastasis was performed by a generalized linear modelling approach with a binomial error according to Efron. The risk of first recurrence was strictly associated with vascular index, having the patients with the highest microvessel counts the highest risk of metastasis during all the period of observation. We did not find an interaction of vascularity with oestrogen receptor (ER) status. However, in the subgroup of patients with ER-positive tumours the hazard of metastasis was almost constant in time, while in that with ER-negative tumours it increased rapidly up to 20 months and, thereafter, decreased sharply. The results of our study are an indirect evidence that the patients with highly vascularized breast cancers may gain poor benefit of adjuvant tamoxifen and, therefore. that this antioestrogen is unlikely to retain a clinically relevant antiangiogenic activity in human breast cancer. Our data need confirmation by a prospective randomized clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gasparini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Azienda Complesso Ospedaliero San Filippo Neri, Rome, Italy.
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102
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Gasparini G, Toi M, Biganzoli E, Dittadi R, Fanelli M, Morabito A, Boracchi P, Gion M. Thrombospondin-1 and -2 in node-negative breast cancer: correlation with angiogenic factors, p53, cathepsin D, hormone receptors and prognosis. Oncology 2001; 60:72-80. [PMID: 11150912 DOI: 10.1159/000055300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thrombospondins (TSP(s)) are a multigene family of five secreted glycoproteins involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, adhesion and migration. Two members of the TSP family, namely TSP-1 and TSP-2, are also naturally occurring inhibitors of angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic significance of the determination of TSP-1 and -2 and their correlation with the angiogenic peptides vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP), as well as with other biological and clinicopathological features investigated. METHODS We evaluated a series of 168 women with node-negative breast cancer with a median follow-up period of 66 months, not treated with adjuvant therapy. The cytosolic levels of TSP-1 and -2 were determined in the primary tumour by a commercially available immunometric assay. RESULTS We found that 166 tested tumours had measurable levels of TSP-1 and -2 protein (median value 5.978, range 0.579-31.410 ng/mg of protein). On the basis of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, a weak inverse association of TSP-1 and -2 with tumour size and cathepsin D was found. Moreover, principal component analysis on ranks evidenced a poor association between TSP-1 and -2, VEGF and TP. The results of the clinical outcome were analysed by both univariate and multivariate [for relapse-free survival (RFS) only]) Cox regression models. TSP-1 and -2 were not significant prognostic factors in univariate analysis for either RFS (p = 0.427) or overall survival (p = 0.069). To investigate the 'angiogenic balance hypothesis', bivariate analyses were performed to investigate the interactions of TSP-1 and -2 with VEGF, TP or p53, but none were included in the selected models. Finally, in multivariate analysis for RFS a baseline model, previously defined in a larger case series and inclusive of VEGF, TP and their interaction was adopted. It was highly significant (p = 0.002, Harrell c statistic value of 0.703); but when TSP-1 and -2 were added, their contribution was negligible (p = 0.731, Harrell c statistic value of 0.705). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that TSP-1 and -2 do not provide additional prognostic contribution to the joint effects of VEGF and TP. In the series of node-negative breast cancer patients investigated, determination of the angiogenic peptides VEGF and TP gave significant prognostic information. On the contrary, TSP-1 and -2, potential naturally occurring negative regulators of angiogenesis, lacked prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gasparini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Azienda Complesso Ospedaliero 'San Filippo Neri', Rome, Italy
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103
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Bukvic N, Bavaro P, Soleo L, Fanelli M, Stipani I, Elia G, Susca F, Guanti G. Increment of sister chromatid exchange frequencies (SCE) due to epichlorohydrin (ECH) in vitro treatment in human lymphocytes. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 2001; 20:313-20. [PMID: 10992278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Although several studies have examined the effects on health of exposure to epichlorohydrin (ECH) through normal industrial operations and production, there is still considerable interest in its potential harmful effects on humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate ECH effects in vitro through controlled investigations by using sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN), and chromosome aberrations (CA) as the test battery. Cultures for cytogenetic tests were set up from blood samples of four healthy non-smoking and three smoking males. The experiments were performed using four different concentrations: 10(-10) M, 10(-8) M, 10(-6) M, and 10(-4) M, of ECH in DMSO. Analysis of variance showed that concentrations of ECH had significant effects on SCE/cell frequencies in the lymphocyte cultures of all donors (F=100.25, P<0.001). We were unable to find any evidence of significant increases in CA and MN frequencies in ECH-treated lymphocyte cultures with respect to the controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bukvic
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Medicina Pubblica (DIMIMP), Sezione di Genetica Medica, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
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104
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Gasparini G, Biganzoli E, Bonoldi E, Morabito A, Fanelli M, Boracchi P. Angiogenesis sustains tumor dormancy in patients with breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2001; 65:71-5. [PMID: 11245342 DOI: 10.1023/a:1006476401801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Experimental studies performed in Folkman laboratories suggest that angiogenesis is involved in the biology of tumor dormancy. We determined the vascular index in a series of 190 women operated of node-positive invasive breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (CMF schedule) and we studied the relationship between vascularity of primary tumors with the behaviour in time of metastasis. The study of the hazard function of recurrence (in any site) was performed resorting to a generalized linear modelling approach with a binominal error according to Efron. A total of 80 cases developed recurrences during the period of observation. We found that the hazard function of metastasis in time presented two peaks of incidence at 20 and 60 months, respectively. We also plotted the curves of the hazard function by considering three values of microvessel counts corresponding to the quartiles of their distribution. The risk of first recurrence was associated with vascular index, and the patients of the third quartile of distribution of microvessels had the highest risk. In the final full model for the risk of recurrence at 5 years vascular index provided the highest prognostic contribution followed by the number of involved axillary lymph nodes. The observation that the patients with highly angiogenic tumors are at high risk of recurrence coupled with the identification of the second peak of incidence after 5 years which was also mainly sustained by angiogenic tumors suggest that a fraction of breast cancers promote metastasis after a period of tumor dormancy. The clinical and therapeutic implications of our results are discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Breast Neoplasms/blood supply
- Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/blood supply
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/pathology
- Carcinoma, Lobular/blood supply
- Carcinoma, Lobular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Lobular/pathology
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
- Cisplatin/administration & dosage
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Fluorouracil/administration & dosage
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Mastectomy
- Methotrexate/administration & dosage
- Microcirculation
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
- Neovascularization, Pathologic
- Prognosis
- Risk Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gasparini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Filippo Neri, Rome, Italy
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105
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Bukvic N, Susca F, Bukvic D, Fanelli M, Guanti G. 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol and norgestrel in combination induce micronucleus increases and aneuploidy in human lymphocyte and fibroblast cultures. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 2000; 20:147-59. [PMID: 10820425 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6866(2000)20:3<147::aid-tcm6>3.0.co;2-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Oral contraceptives are highly efficient and easily administered drugs; however, it must not be forgotten that they are composed of chemical substances which can be classified as potential carcinogens. Testing of a substance for genotoxicity represents a reliable approach both to evaluate the genetic hazard and to obtain information on its possible tumorigenic (cancerogenic) properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate through carefully planned and controlled investigations the in vitro cytogenetic effects of oral contraceptives (ethynilestradiol and norgestrel mixed in the proportion 1:5) using three different concentrations, with two different durations of treatment (48 and 72 h), on two types of human cells (lymphocytes and fibroblasts) and a series of short-term test procedures: sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus test (MN), and chromosome aberrations (CA). In addition, the FISH procedure and in vitro anaphase and metaphase preparation analyses were performed. In contrast to CA and SCE frequencies, the frequency of MN in treated blood lymphocytes showed higher values by comparison with the controls, although the difference was statistically significant only for the lowest concentration (P = 0. 016). When using pancentromeric alphoid probes, the FISH procedure gave positive signals in more than 85% of micronuclei, clearly indicating that MN may contain whole chromosomes rather than acentric fragments. Unlike the lymphocytes, the fibroblasts showed dose-dependent effects, although those treated with the highest hormone concentrations showed an increased number of highly damaged cells (cytoplasmatic vacuolization, nuclear fragmentation, etc.), a decreased number of anaphase cells, a large number of which were abnormal, and a reduction of mitotic index. In conclusion, our data confirm that hormones do not induce structural chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes and indicate that ethynilestradiol and norgestrel have an aneugenic effect on fibroblast and lymphocyte cultures; FISH analysis on micronuclei from lymphocyte cultures and anaphase preparations from fibroblast cultures support this hypothesis. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 20:147-159, 2000.
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MESH Headings
- Aneuploidy
- Cells, Cultured/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured/ultrastructure
- Chromosome Aberrations
- Contraceptives, Oral, Combined/pharmacology
- Contraceptives, Oral, Combined/toxicity
- Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal/pharmacology
- Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal/toxicity
- DNA Damage
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Ethinyl Estradiol/administration & dosage
- Ethinyl Estradiol/pharmacology
- Ethinyl Estradiol/toxicity
- Fibroblasts/drug effects
- Fibroblasts/ultrastructure
- Humans
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Lymphocytes/drug effects
- Lymphocytes/ultrastructure
- Micronucleus Tests
- Norgestrel/administration & dosage
- Norgestrel/pharmacology
- Norgestrel/toxicity
- Safety
- Sister Chromatid Exchange/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bukvic
- DIMIMP-Sezione di Genetica Medica-Università degli Studi, Bari, Italy
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106
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Liuzzi GM, Mastroianni CM, Santacroce MP, Fanelli M, D'Agostino C, Vullo V, Riccio P. Increased activity of matrix metalloproteinases in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with HIV-associated neurological diseases. J Neurovirol 2000; 6:156-63. [PMID: 10822329 DOI: 10.3109/13550280009013159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been identified as mediators of brain injury in HIV-associated neurological diseases. The activity of the 72 kDa gelatinase A (MMP-2) and 92 kDa gelatinase B (MMP-9) was detected by zymography in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 138 HIV-infected patients (40 with AIDS dementia, 83 with brain opportunistic infections and 15 neurologically asymptomatic), 26 HIV-seronegative individuals with inflammatory neurological diseases (IND) and 12 HIV-seronegative subjects with noninflammatory neurological diseases (NIND). MMP-2 was present in all CSF samples from HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative individuals, including those of subjects with NIND. On the contrary, MMP-9 was absent in the CSF of NIND controls, whereas the activity of this MMP was found in the 77 - 100% of CSF samples from HIV-infected patients, including those with HIV dementia, central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infections or neurologically asymptomatic subjects. The highest levels of MMP-9 were found in the CSF of patients with cryptococcosis, cytomegalovirus encephalitis and tuberculous meningitis and were comparable with those found in the CSF of HIV-negative patients with multiple sclerosis or meningitis. A significant correlation between CSF MMP-9 activity and CSF cell count was found only in patients with HIV dementia. The increased CSF activity of MMPs capable to degrade components of the extracellular matrix of blood-brain barrier may contribute to the transendothelial migration of virus-infected cells into the CNS and development of HIV-associated neurologic damage.
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MESH Headings
- AIDS Dementia Complex/cerebrospinal fluid
- AIDS Dementia Complex/enzymology
- AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/cerebrospinal fluid
- AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/enzymology
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Blood-Brain Barrier
- CD4 Lymphocyte Count
- Cell Count
- Cell Movement
- Cerebrospinal Fluid/cytology
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins/analysis
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/cerebrospinal fluid
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/enzymology
- Disease Progression
- Encephalitis, Viral/cerebrospinal fluid
- Encephalitis, Viral/enzymology
- Female
- HIV Infections/cerebrospinal fluid
- HIV Infections/enzymology
- HIV Seronegativity
- HIV-1
- Humans
- Male
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/biosynthesis
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/cerebrospinal fluid
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/biosynthesis
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/cerebrospinal fluid
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics
- Meningitis, Bacterial/cerebrospinal fluid
- Meningitis, Bacterial/enzymology
- Meningitis, Cryptococcal/cerebrospinal fluid
- Meningitis, Cryptococcal/enzymology
- Middle Aged
- Motor Neuron Disease/cerebrospinal fluid
- Motor Neuron Disease/enzymology
- Multiple Sclerosis/cerebrospinal fluid
- Multiple Sclerosis/enzymology
- Nervous System Diseases/cerebrospinal fluid
- Nervous System Diseases/enzymology
- Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral/cerebrospinal fluid
- Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral/enzymology
- Tuberculosis, Meningeal/cerebrospinal fluid
- Tuberculosis, Meningeal/enzymology
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Liuzzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy
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107
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Carriero C, Ceci OR, Melilli GA, Fanelli M, Nappi L, Di Gesù G, Ferreri R. Socio-demographic factors and indications in second trimester voluntary abortion. Panminerva Med 2000; 42:33-7. [PMID: 11019602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to Italian Law, second trimester termination of pregnancy is allowed for life threatening conditions or for severe psychological distress, linked or not to prenatal diagnosis of foetal abnormalities. Socio-demographic factors related to this condition have been analysed. METHODS Clinical records of 330 patients admitted during the years 1988-1997 to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, University of Bari, Italy, for voluntary second trimester abortion, were examined. Maternal psychiatric indications have been given in nearly all of the cases. In 123 cases the indications were secondary to the women suffering a psychiatric disorder due to foetal pathologies. In 205 cases--where poor social conditions were more frequent--the indication was given on the ground of a psychiatric disorder linked to the pregnancy itself. RESULTS Significantly higher incidence of teenagers (23.3%) and singles (50%) in women who underwent a late abortion. Students were 16.4% in this group. In primary psychiatric indication singles prevail (74.4%) and students represent 23.6% while in secondary psychiatric indication the married were 84.7%, students only 4.8%. In primary psychiatric indication 32.5% of women aged nineteen or less, while in secondary psychiatric indication this percentage was 8%. CONCLUSIONS Among patients who have a late abortion, teenagers students and singles are prevalent, these patients have significantly more primary psychiatric indications, not linked to foetal abnormalities. The high percentage of teenagers with primary psychiatric indication could depend on inadequate information and social service. Reduction of mid-trimester terminations of pregnancy can be significantly achieved intervening in this group of young women. On the other hand, in secondary indications earlier diagnosis of foetal abnormalities must be encouraged (villocentesis instead of amniocentesis) and abortion discouraged when the foetal pathology is minor, treatable or unlikely to significantly impair the future quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Carriero
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology II, University of Bari, Italy.
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108
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Vaninetti S, Baccarelli A, Romoli R, Fanelli M, Faglia G, Spada A. Effect of aging on serum gonadotropin levels in healthy subjects and patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. Eur J Endocrinol 2000; 142:144-9. [PMID: 10664522 DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1420144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA), which represent about one-quarter of human pituitary tumors, occur in middle or old age. Determination of gonadotropin levels, which are not expected to be high during the early postmenopause in normal women and which are low in women with NFPA, is important to distinguishing hypogonadal status due to the normal decline of gonadal function from that due to hypothlalamic-pituitary dysfunction. The aim of the study was to verify whether this difference still persists in old subjects, despite the physiological decline of gonadotropins in the last decades of life. DESIGN AND METHODS The study included 154 healthy subjects (aged 50-104 years) and 47 patients with NFPA (aged 50-80 years). Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast and hormone levels were measured by two immunofluorimetric assays. RESULTS In healthy women the highest serum levels of gonadotropins were present in the 50-60 year age group, with a slight but progressive age-associated decrease in serum FSH and LH being observed thereafter. In healthy men serum gonadotropin levels were stable up to 70 years, increased up to 75-85 years and thereafter gradually decreasing. Female patients with NFPA showed levels of gonadotropins which were far lower than controls. Only three patients had levels of both FSH and LH above the 2.5 centile for normal subjects. A high sensitivity and specificity of gonadotropin measurements (about 90%) for the diagnosis of NFPA was observed in female patients aged 50-80 years. In male subjects, a large overlap of gonadotropin values in NFPA and controls, namely over the 50-70 years age range, was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that despite the gradual decline of gonadotropin levels in healthy postmenopsausal women, the reduction of both FSH and LH persists in old patients with NFPA, suggesting that measurement of gonadotropin levels could prove useful in the evaluation of pituitary lesions even in old women. More subtle differences seem to occur in male subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vaninetti
- Institute of Endocrine Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
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109
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Bukvic N, Bavaro P, Soleo L, Fanelli M, Stipani I, Elia G, Susca F, Guanti G. Increment of sister chromatid exchange frequencies (SCE) due to epichlorohydrin (ECH) in vitro treatment in human lymphocytes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1002/1520-6866(2000)20:5<313::aid-tcm7>3.0.co;2-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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110
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Grignani F, Gelmetti V, Fanelli M, Rogaia D, De Matteis S, Ferrara FF, Bonci D, Grignani F, Nervi C, Pelicci PG. Formation of PML/RAR alpha high molecular weight nuclear complexes through the PML coiled-coil region is essential for the PML/RAR alpha-mediated retinoic acid response. Oncogene 1999; 18:6313-21. [PMID: 10597230 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Retinoic Acid (RA) treatment induces disease remission of Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL) patients by triggering terminal differentiation of neoplastic cells. RA-sensitivity in APL is mediated by its oncogenic protein, which results from the recombination of the PML and the RA receptor alpha (RAR alpha) genes (PML/RAR alpha fusion protein). Ectopic expression of PML/RAR alpha into haemopoietic cell lines results in increased response to RA-induced differentiation. By structure-function analysis of PML/RAR alpha-mediated RA-differentiation, we demonstrated that fusion of PML and RAR alpha sequences and integrity of the PML dimerization domain and of the RAR alpha DNA binding region are required for the effect of PML/RAR alpha on RA-differentiation. Indeed, direct fusion of the PML dimerization domain to the N- or C-terminal extremities of RAR alpha retained full biological activity. All the biologically active PML/RAR alpha mutants formed high molecular weight complexes in vivo. Functional analysis of mutations within the PML dimerization domain revealed that the capacity to form PML/RAR alpha homodimers, but not PML/RAR alpha-PML heterodimers, correlated with the RA-response. These results suggest that targeting of RAR alpha sequences by the PML dimerization domain and formation of nuclear PML/RAR alpha homodimeric complexes are crucial for the ability of PML/RAR alpha to mediate RA-response.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Binding Sites
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- DNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Dimerization
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- HeLa Cells/drug effects
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/cytology
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/drug effects
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/metabolism
- Molecular Weight
- Neoplasm Proteins/chemistry
- Neoplasm Proteins/physiology
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/chemistry
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/physiology
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Tretinoin/pharmacology
- U937 Cells/drug effects
- U937 Cells/metabolism
- Zinc Fingers
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Affiliation(s)
- F Grignani
- Istituto di Medicina Interna e Scienze Oncologiche, Policlinico Monteluce, Perugia, Italy
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111
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Abstract
Growth, progression, and metastasis of breast cancer, as well as of most of the other tumors, are angiogenesis-dependent processes. Several pro-angiogenic growth factors and endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis have been identified and sequenced, and experimental studies suggest that angiogenic activity of a tumor may result from downregulation of inhibitors of angiogenesis or up-regulation of endothelial growth factors. The mechanisms leading to the alteration of the balance between positive and negative modulators of angiogenesis are only partially known. We are at the beginning of research to identify the more active angiogenic factors in human breast cancer, and little information is presently available on their clinical significance. Preliminary results suggest that among the known angiogenic peptides, both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor / thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP) have promising prognostic and, perhaps, predictive value. No data are available on the clinical value of co-determination of positive and negative regulators of angiogenesis to look at the angiogenic balance of each single tumor. Only a few studies have assessed the role of endogenous inhibitors of angiogenesis in human breast cancer, with results available only on thrombospondin-1 and -2 (TSP-1, -2). Finally, the determination of some integrins such as alpha6 and alphavbeta3 and of some other endothelial-adhesion molecules seems to be of potential prognostic value. Recognizing which are the more biologically active positive and negative angiogenic factors is the key for the identification not only of new prognostic markers but also of targets for antiangiogenic therapy in human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Locopo
- Division of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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112
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Romano N, Taverne-Thiele AJ, Fanelli M, Baldassini MR, Abelli L, Mastrolia L, Van Muiswinkel WB, Rombout JH. Ontogeny of the thymus in a teleost fish, Cyprinus carpio L.: developing thymocytes in the epithelial microenvironment. Dev Comp Immunol 1999; 23:123-137. [PMID: 10227480 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(98)00053-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A monoclonal antibody, WCL9, specific for membrane molecules of a thymocyte subpopulation was used to detect these cells in situ during the ontogeny of thymus. Cryo-sections revealed WCL9+ cells in the rudiment of the thymus (day 4 post fertilization); thereafter, the positive cells were observed exclusively in the cortex from the first appearance of thymic regionalization (week 4 post fertilization) until adult age. Whole-mount immunostaining of the thymus with WCL9 revealed the three-dimensional structure of the cortex by specific staining. The presence and distribution of apoptotic cells during thymus development was studied by in situ end-labelling of fragmented DNA. From week 4 post fertilization onwards, apoptotic cells were more frequently detected in the cortex than medulla, suggesting a continuous selection of thymocytes in the cortex. Ultrastructural studies confirmed the presence of numerous cortical apoptotic cells inside macrophages. Electron microscopy provided evidence for the existence of epithelial heterogeneity in the thymus. During the ontogeny, the differentiation of epithelial cells was followed from the first weeks until the juvenile age. Cell types were classified on the basis of their localization and cytological characteristics as: i) limiting epithelial cells located in subcapsular, perivascular and peritrabecular zones; ii) reticular epithelial cells situated in medullary and cortical zones; iii) nurse-like cells at the border between the cortex and medulla, iiii) Hassall's body-like structures localized in the medulla. This study could suggest the occurrence of a wide range of lympho-epithelial interactions throughout thymocytes differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Romano
- Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands
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Gasparini G, Toi M, Miceli R, Vermeulen PB, Dittadi R, Biganzoli E, Morabito A, Fanelli M, Gatti C, Suzuki H, Tominaga T, Dirix LY, Gion M. Clinical relevance of vascular endothelial growth factor and thymidine phosphorylase in patients with node-positive breast cancer treated with either adjuvant chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Cancer J Sci Am 1999; 5:101-11. [PMID: 10198732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the role of the two angiogenic peptides, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) (the latter also being a target enzyme for cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil and methotrexate), and conventional prognostic factors in predicting relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) probabilities in two cohorts of patients with node-positive breast cancer (NPBC) treated with either adjuvant chemotherapy (CMF [cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil] schedule) or hormone therapy (tamoxifen). PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied two groups of 137 and 164 patients with NPBC, median follow-up of 72 months for both, treated with adjuvant chemotherapy or hormone therapy, respectively. The cytosolic levels of VEGF and TP were determined in the primary tumor by original immunometric methods. The association between VEGF and TP and of these angiogenic peptides with other prognostic indicators were tested by using the Spearman correlation coefficient (for continuous variables) or the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (for dichotomous variables). Results of the clinical outcome were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate (for RFS only) Cox regression models in which VEGF and TP were treated as continuous variables. RESULTS In the CMF group, the concentrations of VEGF and TP ranged from 5.8 to 7798 pg/mg of protein (median, 87.5 pg/mg) and from 1.2 to 904 U/mg (median, 138.2 U/mg), respectively. There was no significant association between the two angiogenic peptides. VEGF was not associated with any other variable, whereas TP showed a positive association with age and an inverse association with the number of involved nodes. In the tamoxifen group, the concentrations of VEGF (5.9-2482; median, 79.3 pg/mg protein) and TP (6.1-1542; median, 146.5 U/mg) were similar to those of the CMF group, and the two angiogenic peptides were not correlated. VEGF was positively associated with age and was inversely associated with estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, whereas TP was not associated with any other variable. Univariate analysis in the CMF group showed that VEGF and TP were significantly predictive of both RFS and OS. Likewise, the number of involved axillary nodes was significantly associated with both RFS and OS. Univariate analysis in the tamoxifen group showed that TP did not significantly influence either RFS or OS. On the contrary, VEGF levels were significantly predictive of both RFS and OS, as were the number of involved nodes, estrogen receptor concentrations, and progesterone receptor concentration. In the multivariate analysis on RFS in the CMF group, VEGF, TP, their first-order interaction term, and age were significant and independent predictive factors. In the tamoxifen group, only VEGF and the number of involved nodes were significant and independent predictive factors. DISCUSSION The results of our study suggest that high levels of TP and low levels of VEGF characterize the patients with NPBC treated with adjuvant CMF who have the highest likelihood of favorable outcome. Low levels of VEGF and the presence of less than three involved axillary nodes characterize the patients with NPBC treated with adjuvant tamoxifen who have the highest likelihood of favorable outcome. This information may be useful to plan future studies to better select the patients with NPBC for conventional adjuvant treatments as well as to monitor the efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies of adjuvant therapy based on inhibition of angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gasparini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli, Calabria, Italy
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114
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Fanelli M, Minucci S, Gelmetti V, Nervi C, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Pelicci PG. Constitutive degradation of PML/RARalpha through the proteasome pathway mediates retinoic acid resistance. Blood 1999; 93:1477-81. [PMID: 10029573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PML/RARalpha is the leukemogenetic protein of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) induces degradation of PML/RARalpha, differentiation of leukaemic blasts, and disease remission. However, RA resistance arises during RA treatment of APL patients. To investigate the phenomenon of RA resistance in APL, we generated RA-resistant sublines from APL-derived NB4 cells. The NB4.007/6 RA-resistant subline does not express the PML/RARalpha protein, although its mRNA is detectable at levels comparable to those of the parental cell line. In vitro degradation assays showed that the half-life of PML/RARalpha is less than 30 minutes in NB4.007/6 and longer than 3 hours in NB4. Treatment of NB4.007/6 cells with the proteasome inhibitors LLnL and lactacystin partially restored PML/RARalpha protein expression and resulted in a partial release of the RA-resistant phenotype. Similarly, forced expression of PML/RARalpha, but not RARalpha, into the NB4/007.6 cells restored sensitivity to RA treatment to levels comparable to those of the NB4 cells. These results indicate that constitutive degradation of PML/RARalpha protein may lead to RA resistance and that PML/RARalpha expression is crucial to convey RA sensitivity to APL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fanelli
- European Institute of Oncology, the Department of Experimental Oncology, Milan, Italy
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115
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Romano N, Fanelli M, Maria Del Papa G, Scapigliati G, Mastrolia L. Histological and cytological studies on the developing thymus of sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo. J Anat 1999; 194 ( Pt 1):39-50. [PMID: 10227665 PMCID: PMC1467892 DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.1999.19410039.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of the developing thymus of the marine teleost, Diplodus puntazzo, was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. The first anlage of the thymus developed by d 20 postfertilisation (p.f.) as a group of undifferentiated cells dorsal to the epithelium of the branchial chamber. The organ increased significantly in size around d 51-66 p.f. and differentiation of cortex and medulla occurred concomitantly. On the basis of their localisation, 4 main types of epithelial cell were distinguished: (1) limiting, adjacent to the connective capsule; (2) medullary and cortical reticular cells; (3) nurse cells, located in the corticomedullary boundary; (4) Hassall-like corpuscles. The majority of medium to large blast-like lymphoid cells were localised in the medulla, while small lymphocytes were housed in the cortical region. These morphological features were maintained at later stages. However, in juveniles in the medulla we observed reticular epithelial cells with cysts and rare Hassall-like corpuscles. The study was designed to obtain more information concerning the histology of the developing thymus of sharpsnout seabream and give a concise description of the differentiation of epithelial cells and lymphoid cells in the thymic parenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Romano
- Comparative Anatomy, Department of Environmental Sciences, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy.
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116
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Gelmetti V, Zhang J, Fanelli M, Minucci S, Pelicci PG, Lazar MA. Aberrant recruitment of the nuclear receptor corepressor-histone deacetylase complex by the acute myeloid leukemia fusion partner ETO. Mol Cell Biol 1998; 18:7185-91. [PMID: 9819405 PMCID: PMC109300 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.18.12.7185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 388] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/1998] [Accepted: 09/03/1998] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptor corepressor (CoR)-histone deacetylase (HDAC) complex recruitment is indispensable for the biological activities of the retinoic acid receptor fusion proteins of acute promyelocytic leukemias. We report here that ETO (eight-twenty-one or MTG8), which is fused to the acute myelogenous leukemia 1 (AML1) transcription factor in t(8;21) AML, interacts via its zinc finger region with a conserved domain of the corepressors N-CoR and SMRT and recruits HDAC in vivo. The fusion protein AML1-ETO retains the ability of ETO to form stable complexes with N-CoR/SMRT and HDAC. Deletion of the ETO C terminus abolishes CoR binding and HDAC recruitment and severely impairs the ability of AML1-ETO to inhibit differentiation of hematopoietic precursors. These data indicate that formation of a stable complex with CoR-HDAC is crucial to the activation of the leukemogenic potential of AML1 by ETO and suggest that aberrant recruitment of corepressor complexes is a general mechanism of leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Gelmetti
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan 20141, Italy
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117
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Sansonno D, Lotesoriere C, Cornacchiulo V, Fanelli M, Gatti P, Iodice G, Racanelli V, Dammacco F. Hepatitis C virus infection involves CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells in hepatitis C virus chronic carriers. Blood 1998; 92:3328-37. [PMID: 9787170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) mainly affects hepatocytes, infection is widespread and involves immunologically privileged sites. Whether lymphoid cells represent further targets of early HCV infection, or whether other cells in the hematopoietic microenvironment may serve as a potential virus reservoir, is still unclear. We studied whether pluripotent hematopoietic CD34(+) cells support productive HCV infection and can be used to establish an in vitro infection system for HCV. Six patients were selected as part of a cohort of HCV chronic carriers who developed a neoplastic disease. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and branched DNA signal amplification assays were used to detect and quantitate HCV RNA in extracted nucleic acids from purified bone marrow and peripheral blood CD34(+) cells. Direct in situ RT-PCR, flow cytometry analysis, and immunocytochemistry were applied to demonstrate specific viral genomic sequences and structural and nonstructural virus-related proteins in intact cells. Results indicated that both positive and negative HCV RNA strands and viral proteins were present in CD34(+) cells from all HCV-positive patients and in none of the controls. Additional experiments showed that a complete viral cycle took place in CD34(+) cells in vitro. Spontaneous increases in viral titers indicated that virions were produced by infected hematopoietic progenitor cells. To further define the cellular tropism, we attempted to infect CD34(+) cells in vitro. We were unable to demonstrate viral uptake by cells. These findings suggest that HCV replication can occur in the early differentiation stages of hematopoietic progenitor cells, and that they may be an important source of virus production.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Sansonno
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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118
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Nicastri PL, Diaferia A, Tartagni M, Loizzi P, Fanelli M. A randomised placebo-controlled trial of ursodeoxycholic acid and S-adenosylmethionine in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1998; 105:1205-7. [PMID: 9853771 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1998.tb09976.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A randomised placebo controlled study was performed in 32 women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The population was divided into four groups: for 20 days each group was treated only with ursodeoxycholic acid, or S-adenosylmethionine, or a combination of both drugs, or a placebo (vitamin). Itching, standard liver function tests and serum total bile acids were measured before, during, and after treatment. Itching improved in all the women as well as the biochemical abnormalities. No side-effects in the mother or in the infant were recorded during and after therapy. A combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and S-adenosylmethionine is more effective than placebo and than either drug alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Nicastri
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bari, Italy
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119
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Nervi C, Ferrara FF, Fanelli M, Rippo MR, Tomassini B, Ferrucci PF, Ruthardt M, Gelmetti V, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Diverio D, Grignani F, Pelicci PG, Testi R. Caspases mediate retinoic acid-induced degradation of the acute promyelocytic leukemia PML/RARalpha fusion protein. Blood 1998; 92:2244-51. [PMID: 9746761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) treatment induces morphological remission in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients carrying the t(15;17) and expressing the PML/RARalpha product by inducing terminal differentiation of the leukemic clone. RA treatment induces downregulation of PML/RARalpha and reorganization of the PML-nuclear bodies. These events have been proposed to be essential for the induction of APL cell differentiation by RA. Here, we show that in the APL-derived NB4 cell line as well as in myeloid precursor U937 cells expressing the PML/RARalpha (U937/PR9) and in blasts from APL patients, the PML/RARalpha fusion protein is cleaved by a caspase 3-like activity induced by RA treatment. In fact, a caspase 3-like activity is detectable in PML/RARalpha expressing cells after RA treatment, and selective caspase inhibitor peptides are able to prevent the RA-induced degradation of the fusion protein in vivo and in vitro. Using recombinant caspases and PML/RARalpha deletion mutants we mapped a caspase 3 cleavage site (Asp 522) within the alpha-helix region of the PML component of the fusion protein. The extent of PML/RARalpha cleavage directly correlates with the ability of RA to restore the normal PML nuclear bodies (NBs) pattern. However, RA-induced differentiation is not prevented by the persistence of the fusion product and occurs in the absence of normally structured PML NBs. These results indicate that PML/RARalpha is directly involved in conferring RA sensitivity of APL cells and that the RA-induced reassembly of PML NBs is the consequence of the disappearance of PML/RARalpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nervi
- Dipartimento di Istologia ed Embriologia Medica and Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Cellulari e Ematologia, University of Rome "La Sapienza," Rome.
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120
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Bukvic N, Bavaro P, Elia G, Cassano F, Fanelli M, Guanti G. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN) frequencies in lymphocytes of gasoline station attendants. Mutat Res 1998; 415:25-33. [PMID: 9711259 DOI: 10.1016/s1383-5718(98)00045-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 22 men with low average exposure (229 micrograms/m3 = 0.72 ppm) to benzene and 19 control men were investigated for Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) frequency. The majority of the men (21 exposed, 19 controls) were also investigated using the micronucleus assay (MN). The exposed subjects were employed at 10 different gas stations in or near the city (Bari/South Italy). SCE frequencies were significantly related with age and smoking habits, on the contrary no relation was observed between SCE and length of employment (SCE = 7.41 + 0.03.age (*) + 0.0001.length of employment (n.s.) + 0.03.cigarette consumption (*); F = 4.87; p < 0.01; (*) significant; (n.s.) non-significant). MN frequencies were significantly increased in relation with length of employment; but no relation was observed when age and smoking habits were taken into consideration (regression model: MN = 18.03 + 0.006.age (n.s.) + 0.32.length of employment (*) - 0.1.cigarette consumption (n.s.); F = 4.138; p < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bukvic
- Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e del Lavoro (DIMIL), Universitá degli Studi di Bari, Italy
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121
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Gasparini G, Toi M, Verderio P, Ranieri G, Dante S, Bonoldi E, Boracchi P, Fanelli M, Tominaga T. Prognostic significance of p53, angiogenesis, and other conventional features in operable breast cancer: subanalysis in node-positive and node-negative patients. Int J Oncol 1998; 12:1117-25. [PMID: 9538138 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.12.5.1117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To validate the prognostic value of the determination of p53 expression, intratumoral microvessel density (IMD) (a measure of angiogenesis), and the conventional features, we studied 531 patients operated of breast cancer (271 node-positive and 260 node-negative), with a median follow-up exceeding 6 years. IMD was assessed by using the anti-CD31 antibody to identify the microvessels. p53, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) were determined by immunocytochemistry using the antibodies PAb1801, H-222 Sp2y and KD-68, respectively. The prognostic value of the markers was analyzed by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. In the overall series p53 expression, IMD, nodal status, ER and PgR were statistically significant prognostic indicators for both relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in the final multivariate model. Likewise, tumor size and menopausal status were significant prognostic indicators for RFS and OS, respectively. In the subgroup of node-negative patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy only p53, IMD, and tumor size were statistically significant in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of node-positive patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, IMD, the number of involved nodes and PgR were statistically significant in multivariate analysis. In the subgroup of node-positive patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen, IMD and ER (and the number of involved nodes, only for OS) were statistically significant for both RFS and OS in the final multivariate model. Different markers played a diverse prognostic role in the diverse subgroups studied. Angiogenesis was the sole marker which retained prognostic value in all the sub-groups analyzed. p53 retained significance only in the subgroup of node-negative patients, whilst ER and PgR were statistically significant in the subgroups of node-positive patients treated with adjuvant hormone therapy or chemotherapy, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gasparini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ospedali Riuniti, Via Melacrino, Reggio Calabria, 89100, Italy
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122
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Grignani F, De Matteis S, Nervi C, Tomassoni L, Gelmetti V, Cioce M, Fanelli M, Ruthardt M, Ferrara FF, Zamir I, Seiser C, Grignani F, Lazar MA, Minucci S, Pelicci PG. Fusion proteins of the retinoic acid receptor-alpha recruit histone deacetylase in promyelocytic leukaemia. Nature 1998; 391:815-8. [PMID: 9486655 DOI: 10.1038/35901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 848] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The transforming proteins of acute promyelocytic leukaemias (APL) are fusions of the promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) and the promyelocytic leukaemia zinc-finger (PLZF) proteins with retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARalpha). These proteins retain the RARalpha DNA- and retinoic acid (RA)-binding domains, and their ability to block haematopoietic differentiation depends on the RARalpha DNA-binding domain. Thus RA-target genes are downstream effectors. However, treatment with RA induces differentiation of leukaemic blast cells and disease remission in PML-RARalpha APLs, whereas PLZF-RARa APLs are resistant to RA. Transcriptional regulation by RARs involves modifications of chromatin by histone deacetylases, which are recruited to RA-target genes by nuclear co-repressors. Here we show that both PML-RARalpha and PLZF-RARalpha fusion proteins recruit the nuclear co-repressor (N-CoR)-histone deacetylase complex through the RARalpha CoR box. PLZF-RARalpha contains a second, RA-resistant binding site in the PLZF amino-terminal region. High doses of RA release histone deacetylase activity from PML-RARalpha, but not from PLZF-RARalpha. Mutation of the N-CoR binding site abolishes the ability of PML-RARalpha to block differentiation, whereas inhibition of histone deacetylase activity switches the transcriptional and biological effects of PLZF-RARalpha from being an inhibitor to an activator of the RA signalling pathway. Therefore, recruitment of histone deacetylase is crucial to the transforming potential of APL fusion proteins, and the different effects of RA on the stability of the PML-RARalpha and PLZF-RARalpha co-repressor complexes determines the differential response of APLs to RA.
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MESH Headings
- Binding Sites
- Cell Differentiation/drug effects
- Cell Differentiation/physiology
- Cell Line
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/physiology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
- Histone Deacetylases/genetics
- Histone Deacetylases/physiology
- Hydroxamic Acids/pharmacology
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/enzymology
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/metabolism
- Mutagenesis
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/physiology
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/physiology
- Nuclear Receptor Co-Repressor 1
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/physiology
- Protein Binding
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/genetics
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/physiology
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/physiology
- Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/physiology
- Tretinoin/pharmacology
- Tumor Suppressor Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- F Grignani
- Istituto di Medicina Interna e Scienze Oncologiche, Perugia University, Italy
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123
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Shao W, Fanelli M, Ferrara FF, Riccioni R, Rosenauer A, Davison K, Lamph WW, Waxman S, Pelicci PG, Lo Coco F, Avvisati G, Testa U, Peschle C, Gambacorti-Passerini C, Nervi C, Miller WH. Arsenic trioxide as an inducer of apoptosis and loss of PML/RAR alpha protein in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. J Natl Cancer Inst 1998; 90:124-33. [PMID: 9450572 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/90.2.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A, induce differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells in vitro and in patients. However, APL cells develop resistance to retinoic acid treatment. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) can induce clinical remission in patients with APL, including those who have relapsed after retinoic acid treatment, by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the leukemia cells. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which As2O3 induces apoptosis in retinoic acid-sensitive NB4 APL cells, in retinoic acid-resistant derivatives of these cells, and in fresh leukemia cells from patients. METHODS Apoptosis was assessed by means of DNA fragmentation analyses, TUNEL assays (i.e., deoxyuridine triphosphate labeling of DNA nicks with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase), and flow cytometry. Expression of the PML/RAR alpha fusion protein in leukemia cells was assessed by means of western blotting, ligand binding, and immunohistochemistry. Northern blotting and ribonuclease protection assays were used to evaluate changes in gene expression in response to retinoic acid and As2O3 treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS As2O3 induces apoptosis without differentiation in retinoic acid-sensitive and retinoic acid-resistant APL cells at concentrations that are achievable in patients. As2O3 induces loss of the PML/RAR alpha fusion protein in NB4 cells, in retinoic-acid resistant cells derived from them, in fresh APL cells from patients, and in non-APL cells transfected to express this protein. As2O3 and retinoic acid induce different patterns of gene regulation, and they inhibit the phenotypes induced by each other. Understanding the molecular basis of these differences in the effects of As2O3 and retinoic acid may guide the clinical use of arsenic compounds and provide insights into the management of leukemias that do not respond to retinoic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Shao
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital and McGill University, Department of Oncology, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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124
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Gambacorti-Passerini C, le Coutre P, Mologni L, Fanelli M, Bertazzoli C, Marchesi E, Di Nicola M, Biondi A, Corneo GM, Belotti D, Pogliani E, Lydon NB. Inhibition of the ABL kinase activity blocks the proliferation of BCR/ABL+ leukemic cells and induces apoptosis. Blood Cells Mol Dis 1997; 23:380-94. [PMID: 9446752 DOI: 10.1006/bcmd.1997.0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The BCR/ABL fusion protein transforms myeloid stem cells. Both chronic myelogenous leukemias (CML) and a subset of acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) are associated with the expression of BCR/ABL proteins. This knowledge has not yet been translated into any specific tool to control ABL driven neoplastic cells growth. CGP57148B is an ATP-competitive inhibitor of the ABL protein kinase; it has been shown to inhibit the kinase activity of ABL both in vitro and in vivo and to inhibit the growth of v-abl and bcr/abl transfectants, as well as the in vitro formation of bone marrow (BM)-derived colonies in the presence of growth factors in some CML patients. These studies were performed to investigate the activity of CGP57148B on the spontaneous proliferation of both fresh and cultured, leukemic and normal, BCR/ABL positive and negative cells, and to study its mechanism of action. Six cell lines derived from BCR/ABL+ leukemias (K562, BV173, KCL22, KU812, MC3, LAMA84), thirteen BCR/ABL negative lines, both neoplastic (KG1, SU-DHL-1, U937, Daudi, NB4, NB4.306) and derived from normal cells (PHA blasts, LAK, fibroblasts, LCL, renal epithelial cells, endothelial cells, CD34(+) cells), and 14 fresh leukemic samples were tested using a tritiated thymidine uptake assay. The in vivo phosphorylation of the BCR/ABL protein was evaluated by western blot, while apoptosis was detected by the annexin V/propidium binding test. The induction of differentiation was assayed by immunofluorescence using multiple antibodies. All six BCR/ABL+ lines showed a dose dependent inhibition of their spontaneous proliferative rate, which was not accompanied by differentiation. The treatment caused, within minutes, dephosphorylation of the BCR/ABL protein, followed in 16-24 hours by a decrease in cycling cells and induction of apoptosis. No significant inhibition of DNA synthesis was observed in any BCR/ABL negative normal or neoplastic line at concentrations </=3 microM, with the exception of fibroblasts and CD34 cells. Proliferation inhibition was observed also when using fresh samples obtained from two Ph+ ALL and 12 consecutive CML patients. Induction of apoptosis was observed in these samples too. The activity of CGP57148B can be monitored in ex vivo isolated or cultured cells using a simple and reproducible assay, without the need for exogenously added growth factors. This molecule possibly exerts its effects through the inhibition of the kinase activity of BCR/ABL and the subsequent initiation of apoptosis, without inducing cell differentiation. Some normal cells are also affected. These data support the use of CGP57148B in initial clinical studies; possible toxic effects on BM and fibroblast-derived cells will have to be closely monitored. The in vivo monitoring of patients will have to be focused on the induction of apoptosis in leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gambacorti-Passerini
- Division of Experimental Oncology D and Medical Oncology C, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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125
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Desiate A, Fanelli M, Milano V. ["Odontogenic" anxiety. A study of a population of 1500 students from the public schools in the Bari area]. Minerva Stomatol 1997; 46:165-73. [PMID: 9167425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The authors have carried out a survey regarding 1500 students whose age ranged from 9 to 18 years. They belonged to some public schools of Gioia del Colle, a small town near the city of Bari. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dentist fear, the levels of anxiety and the main reasons or situations which can cause it. A questionnaire has been used for this purpose: the Dental Subscale Test. Results have shown that the 38.7% of the people questioned, has asserted to be afraid of the dentist and that this fear is much more felt in women than in men. Moreover has been demonstrated that this fear overcomes amongst those who have never undergone a dental treatment and that the degree of anxiety decreases from childhood to adulthood. In addition statistics analysis have proved that the sensation of choking, the sight and the sound of surgical instruments such as the drill and the fear of injections, are amongst those items which can be referred as the most frequent sources of anxiety for both males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Desiate
- Istituto di Clinica Odontoiatrica, Università degli Studi, Bari
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126
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Chiechi LM, Fanelli M, Lobascio A, Serio G, Loizzi P. [Pregnancy in women over 35 years of age. What risk?]. Minerva Ginecol 1996; 48:391-6. [PMID: 9005360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
A retrospective study of women who are delivered at the Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Bari, in the period 1991-1994, was performed to evaluate if over 20 week pregnancies in women aged 35 years and over were at higher risk for maternal and neonatal complications than pregnancy in women aged 20 to 29 years. The results of these 4 years show that pregnancy in women aged 35 and over is burdened with a greater incidence of maternal complications and cesarean sections, but age is not a risk for neonatal outcomes. Moreover, most working women were obliged to delay the first birth child, but work does not increase the number of complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Chiechi
- Istituto II Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica Cattedra di Fisiopatologia della Riproduzione Umana, Università degli Studi, Bari
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127
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Vacca A, Ribatti D, Fanelli M, Costantino F, Nico B, Di Stefano R, Serio G, Dammacco F. Expression of tenascin is related to histologic malignancy and angiogenesis in b-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Leuk Lymphoma 1996; 22:473-81. [PMID: 8882961 DOI: 10.3109/10428199609054786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The topography of and the area covered by tenascin, laminin and type IV collagen (all components of the subendothelial basement membrane), and the microvessel area (an index of angiogenesis), as evaluated with factor VIII, were investigated immunohistochemically in 61 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) and 30 benign lymphadenopathies as controls. The three components were located in the microvessels and in a microvessel-bound stromal reticular network, the expression of tenascin being always more extended and finer than the other components. Of the lymphadenopathies, reactive and atypical lymphoid hyperplasias showed vessels and stromal network in the interfollicular zone only, whereas in Castleman's and angioimmunoblastic forms these structures were widely scattered in the tissue, and the area of the three components and that of the microvessels were significantly larger. Of the low-grade B-NHL, follicular subtypes had vessels and stromal network confined to the interfollicular inflammatory zone, but not in tumor follicles, whereas these structures were irregularly distributed throughout the small lymphocytic subtype. The levels of areas in low-grade B-NHL overlapped those of Castleman's and angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathies. Among the intermediate-grade tumors, the follicular subtype resembled the follicular tumors, and the diffuse subtypes displayed vessels and stromal network throughout the tissue in close association with the neoplastic cells, and with significant increments of both the tenascin and the microvessel areas, but with a significant reduction of both the laminin and the type IV collagen areas. Distribution was similar in high-grade B-NHL, but tenascin and microvessel area variations, on the one hand, and those of laminin and type IV collagen areas were still more apparent than in the intermediate-grade. A high correlation was demonstrated in all groups of tissues between tenascin and microvessel area. In addition, in the diffuse intermediate-grade and high-grade B-NHL highly immature vessels were frequently detected by ultramicroscopy. The results show that tenascin expression and angiogenesis are closely related, and that both increase in function of tumor malignancy. Unlike laminin and type IV collagen, tenascin is associated with highly immature vessels in B-NHL. We suggest that tenascin expression and angiogenesis are governed by the B-NHL-associated inflammatory infiltrate, as well as by the B-NHL cells, particularly in more malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Italy
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128
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Vacca A, Ribatti D, Gasparini G, Fanelli M, Minischetti M, Ritelli G, Costantino F, Iurlaro M, Bonoldi E, Dammacco F. Determination of vascularization of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with four markers. Int J Oncol 1996; 8:561-6. [PMID: 21544397 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.8.3.561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the microvessel area (an index of angiogenesis) by using the factor VIII-related antigen (factor VIII-RA), and the expression of three components of the subendothelial basement membrane, namely: tenascin, laminin and type IV collagen. The four markers were assessed by immunohistochemical methods in 57 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) and 28 benign lymphadenopathies. We found that microvessel area and the basement membrane markers had a different distribution pattern in relation to the histological type and degree of malignancy. In reactive and atypical lymphoid hyperplasias and in follicular low- and intermediate-grade B-NHL, microvessels were distributed within the interfollicular zones. By contrast, diffuse intermediate-grade and high-grade B-NHL were highly vascularized and microvessels were closely related to the neoplastic cells. Microvessel area was significantly associated with tenascin expression in all histological grades. Conversely, it was not correlated to laminin and type IV collagen expression, especially in diffuse intermediate-grade and high-grade B-NHL, where the expression of these markers was poor and fragmented. Our study suggests that angiogenesis and tenascin expression are associated phenomena in B-NHL, and that both increase with the malignancy grade. The prognostic value of angiogenesis and tenascin in B-NHL warrants further assessment in follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vacca
- UNIV BARI,SCH MED,INST HUMAN ANAT HISTOL & EMBRYOL,I-70124 BARI,ITALY. ST BORTOLO HOSP,DEPT ONCOL,I-36100 VICENZA,ITALY. ST BORTOLO HOSP,INST PATHOL,I-36100 VICENZA,ITALY
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129
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Emanuelli M, Raffaelli N, Amici A, Fanelli M, Ruggieri S, Magni G. Three-minute high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for NMN adenylyltransferase using a 20-mm-long reversed-phase column. J Chromatogr B Biomed Appl 1996; 676:13-8. [PMID: 8852039 DOI: 10.1016/0378-4347(95)00408-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
NMN adenylyltransferase (NAD pyrophosphorylase; NMNAT) reversibly catalyzes the synthesis of NAD from ATP and NMN. In this paper, we describe a rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for NMNAT, which uses a 20-mm-long C18 reversed-phase (RP) column. The activity was measured by separating in less than 3 min the substrates (NMN and ATP) from the product (NAD) with 0.1 M potassium phosphate, pH 6.0, at a 2 ml/min flow-rate and 22 degrees C. NAD was directly quantitated from its ultraviolet absorbance. Amounts of NAD as small as 25 pmol could be measured. The activity value closely agreed with that determined by the spectrophotometric assay. This method was successfully applied to the determination of NMNAT activity in human placental and bull testis extracts, as well as in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Emanuelli
- Istituto di Biochimica, Università di Ancona, Italy
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130
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Ribatti D, Vacca A, Nico B, Fanelli M, Roncali L, Dammacco F. Angiogenesis spectrum in the stroma of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study. Eur J Haematol 1996; 56:45-53. [PMID: 8599993 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1996.tb00293.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Samples of lymph nodes from 88 patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) grouped by the Working Formulation (WF) and from 15 patients with benign lymphadenopathies were investigated immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally for changes in angiogenesis and stromal distribution of two subendothelial basement membrane (BM) components, namely laminin and type IV collagen. The microvessel number was usually low in lymphadenopathies, and increased significantly in low-grade B-NHL. Intermediate-grade tumors displayed a further significant increase that was mainly due to their diffuse subtypes rather than to the follicular subtype. High-grade B-NHL showed the highest counts. By contrast with the lymphadenopathies studied, the stroma of B-NHL reacted intensely with both BM components, whose linear co-expression was significantly associated with low-grade and follicular intermediate-grade B-NHL, while expression of laminin alone in a granular pattern was detected in diffuse intermediate-grade and high-grade tumors. Ultrastructural analysis revealed immature vessels more frequently in diffuse intermediate-grade, and in high-grade B-NHL. These in situ data suggest that angiogenesis occurring in B-NHL increases along their progression path, and emphasize the importance of angiogenesis as an epigenetic phenomenon of B-NHL progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ribatti
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Bari Medical School, Italy
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131
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Vacca A, Ribatti D, Fanelli M, Nico B, Di Reda D, Minischetti M, Dammacco F. Lymph node angiogenesis in lymphoproliferative disorders: type II Mixed cryoglobulinemia as a model. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1995; 13 Suppl 13:S115-8. [PMID: 8730490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lymph node biopsies from patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) were investigated for: a) the presence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) peptides C22 and C100; b) the degree of angiogenesis and of inflammatory infiltrate (macrophages and neutrophils); c) the distribution of laminin and type IV collagen, the main components of the subendothelial basement membrane; and d) the ultrastructural characteristics of the microvessels. METHODS Cryostat sections were stained by immunoperoxidase to highlight HCV peptides, endothelial cells, their basement membrane components, and inflammatory cells. Planimetric methods were applied to count the microvessels and inflammatory cells, and to evaluate the distribution pattern of the basement membrane components. Microvessels were also analysed at the ultrastructural level. RESULTS HCV+ lymph nodes showed higher microvessel and inflammatory cell counts than the HCV- lymph nodes. Their laminin and type IV collagen distribution and ultrastructural findings also indicated immature capillaries. CONCLUSIONS HCV could be introduced into the lymph nodes by infected mononuclear cells, and trigger inflammation and angiogenesis, thus contributing to the inflammatory process. Angiogenesis, in turn, could facilitate HCV dissemination and persistence in MC.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vacca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Italy
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132
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Abstract
The purported association between alexithymia and essential hypertension was investigated in a sample of 114 hypertensive patients using the well-validated twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Alexithymia was also assessed in a group of 113 general psychiatric outpatients and in a group of 130 normal adults. A rate of 55.3% of alexithymia was found in the hypertensive group compared with significantly lower rates of 32.7% in the psychiatric group and 16.3% in the normal controls. The results support the view that a high prevalence of alexithymia may be found among patients with disorders that were categorized in the past as "classical" psychosomatic diseases. It is hypothesized that a deficit in the cognitive processing and modulation of emotions may leave alexithymic individuals prone to states of heightened sympathetic arousal that are conducive to the development of essential hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Todarello
- 2nd Psychiatric Clinic, University of Bari, Italy
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133
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Abstract
The presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria was revealed among bacteria isolated from non carbonated mineral waters bottled in plastic (PVC) and in glass containers. Heterotrophic plate count values ranged between < 10 and 4.3 x 10(3) and between < 10 and 1.2 x 10(4) colony forming units/ml for the waters bottled in PVC and glass, respectively. The greatest resistance to a single antibiotic, 39.1% of 320 isolates from mineral waters, was found for nalidixic acid. Resistance to the other antibiotics was as follows: ampicillin (26.2%), bacitracin (19.7%), cotrimoxazole (18.7%), streptomycin (15.0%), tetracycline (14.4%), gentamycin (11.6%), chloramphenicol and rifampin (9.7%). The strains resistant to two or more antibiotics (multiple antibiotic resistant, MAR) provided 51% of the total isolates. Identification of 127 MAR strains showed that in the mineral waters gram-positive cocci dominated. The second, third and fourth group of identified MAR phenotypes were, in order to importance, gram-negative non-fermentative rods, gram-positive rods and gram-negative fermentative rods. The importance of the antibiotic resistant bacteria in mineral water is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Massa
- Istituto di Protezione e Preparazione Alimentare, University of Foggia, Italy
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134
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Liuzzi GM, Mastroianni CM, Fanelli M, Massetti AP, Vullo V, Delia S, Riccio P. Myelin degrading activity in the CSF of HIV-1-infected patients with neurological diseases. Neuroreport 1994; 6:157-60. [PMID: 7535576 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199412300-00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Degradation of purified myelin basic protein (MBP) was studied by SDS gel electrophoresis after addition of CSF samples obtained from HIV-1-infected patients. An increase in MBP degradation was detected in patients with neurological complications, such as AIDS dementia complex (ADC) or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), when compared with patients with no neurological symptoms (NA) or with other neurological opportunistic infections (OI). In the ADC and PML patients, in addition to CSF proteolytic activity, an increase in CSF-MBP levels and presence of white matter lesions were also observed by neuroimaging (MRI). In other opportunistic infections of the brain, MBP levels but not anti-MBP proteolytic activity increased. Results suggest the involvement of proteases in the virus-induced demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Liuzzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Italy
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135
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Chironna M, Fanelli M, Potenza D, Serio G, Quarto M. Serum beta 2-microglobulin in intravenous drug users and its correlation with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Int J Clin Lab Res 1994; 24:90-3. [PMID: 7919434 DOI: 10.1007/bf02593906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
High levels of serum beta 2-microglobulin have been associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection and beta 2-microglobulin has been used with other serological and immunological markers for monitoring disease progression. The usefulness of beta 2-microglobulin as a prognostic marker during human immunodeficiency virus infection has been demonstrated in homosexual men and hemophiliacs; few and contradictory data have been reported in intravenous drug users. We have evaluated a cohort of 160 intravenous drug users (81 seronegative and 79 seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus infection) with normal renal function to assess whether serum beta 2-microglobulin could be used as a serological marker for monitoring infection; 78 healthy subjects were used as controls. Of 79 seropositive drug users, 54 were asymptomatic or had persistent generalized lymphoadenopathy the remaining 25 had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Seropositive patients were tested for CD4+ lymphocyte number, p24 antigen and anti-p24 antibodies. A significant statistical difference was found in mean serum beta 2-microglobulin levels between seronegative and seropositive drug users. Moreover, higher levels of beta 2-microglobulin were observed in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients compared with asymptomatic or patients with persistent lymphadenopathy. A significant relationship was also observed between increased concentration of beta 2-microglobulin and the serological and immunological markers which indicate human immunodeficiency virus disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chironna
- Institute of Hygiene, University of Bari, Italy
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136
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Di Stefano R, Fanelli M, Dammacco F. The case of primary systemic amyloidosis in chronic diarrhea, weight loss and hypotension. Ann Ital Med Int 1993; 8:47. [PMID: 8485010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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137
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Palasciano G, Serio G, Portincasa P, Palmieri V, Fanelli M, Velardi A, Calo' Gabrieli B, Vinciguerra V. Gallbladder volume in adults, and relationship to age, sex, body mass index, and gallstones: a sonographic population study. Am J Gastroenterol 1992; 87:493-7. [PMID: 1553937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The influence of gender, age, body size, cholelithiasis, and obesity on fasting gallbladder volume (GBV) was investigated by real-time ultrasonography in a general population cohort of subjects whose ages were between 30 and 69 yr, living in Bari, a Southeastern Italian city. Of the 2076 subjects analyzed, 1246 (60%) were males and 830 (40%) were females (mean age 50 yr). Among them, 1703 subjects were healthy, 108 had gallstones, and 265 were obese. Fasting GBV in healthy individuals was larger in males (M) than in females (F) [M, 18.7 +/- 0.3 (SEM) ml vs. F, 17.0 +/- 0.3 ml; p less than 0.001] and obese (M, 23.4 +/- 1.5 ml vs. 19.7 +/- 0.9 ml; p less than 0.05). The trend was similar in gallstone patients, but it was not statistically significant (M, 23.0 +/- 2.0 ml vs. F, 18.8 +/- 1.5 ml; t = 1.64). Gallbladder size correlated positively with body size in the lean healthy population (p less than 0.01), increased with age in healthy nonobese males (p less than 0.01), and was smaller in healthy males than in males with gallstones (0.01 less than p less than 0.02) and obese, in both sexes (p less than 0.01). We conclude that fasting GBV 1) is larger in lean healthy and obese males than females, 2) increases with age in lean males and with body size in healthy lean females, and 3) is greater in patients with gallstones and in obese subjects, and this might partially account for the defective gallbladder motor function reported in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Palasciano
- Institute of Clinica Medica I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
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138
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Abstract
A two week administration of the glucocorticoid betametasone to male Wistar rats produced a mild hypertensive state. The brain of these rats showed some significant changes in amine and metabolite content with respect to normotensive controls. Epinephrine and metanephrine were increased in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and in the preoptic area. Epinephrine also increased in the septal area. Normetanephrine decreased in the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Dopamine and homovanillic acid increased in septal and preoptic areas. Dopamine alone increased in rostral ventrolateral medulla. Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid increased in the septal area and dorsal medulla. These changes suggest significant alterations in the aminergic activity of the brain circuitry known to regulate cardiovascular functions; the changes may play a basic role in the development and maintenance of glucocorticoid-induced hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fanelli
- Sección Sustancias Vasoactivas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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139
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Torres N, Fanelli M, Alvarez AL, Santajuliana D, Finkielman S, Pirola CJ. Glucocorticoid-induced hypertension in rats: role of the central muscarinic cholinergic system. J Endocrinol 1991; 129:269-74. [PMID: 2040860 DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1290269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Betamethasone was administered on alternate days to rats, and the role of the central cholinergic system in the development of hypertension assessed. After 15 days of treatment the systolic blood pressure of treated rats was significantly higher than that of control rats. Peripheral administration of atropine but not of methyl atropine reduced systolic pressure in glucocorticoid-treated rats and had no effect in controls. Therefore, [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate binding, sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake and choline acetyltransferase studies were performed in the septal area, anteroventrolateral medulla (AVLM), anterior hypothalamic preoptic area (AH/PO) and hypothalamus. The density of muscarinic receptors was increased in the hypothalamus and AVLM of treated rats without significant changes in affinity. Choline acetyltransferase activity significantly decreased in the AVLM and increased in the AH/PO. In addition, a decrease in the hypothalamus and an increase in the AH/PO of sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake was observed in glucocorticoid-treated rats. These results suggest the presence of an enhanced muscarinic cholinergic activity in several brain nuclei in rats with glucocorticoid-induced hypertension. This activation could be due to pre- and post-synaptic hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Torres
- Sección-Sustancias Vasoactivas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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140
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Porro F, Delù A, Fanelli M, Pastori P. Antithrombin III modifications in respiratory failure due to advanced chronic obstructive lung disease. Ric Clin Lab 1984; 14:531-3. [PMID: 6441234 DOI: 10.1007/bf02904882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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141
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Porro F, Martinotti R, Delù A, Sardella F, Fanelli M, Pierini A, Pastori P. Platelet count and platelet function in patients with angina pectoris (before and after a cycloergometric exercise test). Ric Clin Lab 1983; 13:331-6. [PMID: 6648237 DOI: 10.1007/bf02905876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Platelet count and platelet function (circulating platelet aggregates, retention by glass beads and aggregation) were studied under basal conditions and after a cycloergometric exercise test in 10 subjects with stable angina pectoris and 10 normal subjects. There were no baseline differences between patients and controls in any of the tests of platelet function, nor did the values change after the exercise test. There was, however, a significant increase in the number of circulating platelets after the test in angina patients. Possible reasons for this phenomenon are discussed, with emphasis on the role of catecholamine hypersecretion induced by the physical exercise.
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142
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Falcolini G, Fanelli M. [Long-term prophylactic effect of the topical application of fluoride gel]. Riv Odontostomatol Implantoprotesi 1982:21-3. [PMID: 6984888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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143
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Kern JC, Schmelter W, Fanelli M. A comparison of three alcoholism treatment populations--implications for treatment. Int J Rehabil Res 1980; 3:391-3. [PMID: 7451001 DOI: 10.1097/00004356-198009000-00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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144
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Kern JC, Schmelter W, Fanelli M. A comparison of three alcoholism treatment populations. Implications for treatment. J Stud Alcohol 1978; 39:785-92. [PMID: 672217 DOI: 10.15288/jsa.1978.39.785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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145
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Iorio AM, Rivosecchi P, Fanelli M, Pitzurra M. [Distribution of anti-rubella virus antibodies in a female population sample of the community of Perugia and serological results of an anti-rubella vaccination experiment]. Boll Ist Sieroter Milan 1972; 51:405-9. [PMID: 4656955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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